Contrary to interpretations that see Irish politics in the post-war era as defined largely by isolationism, Murphy (politics, Dublin City U., Ireland) argues that Irish political leaders were actively engaged in search of an economic "promised land" and that this search was successfully reflected in the decision to apply for entry into the European Economic Community and in the development of the "social partnership" agreements between government, employer groups, and trade unions regarding wage, tax, and welfare issues that began in the 1980s. In recounting this political history of the 1950s and onwards, he links these political decisions to the prosperity enjoyed by Ireland prior to the global financial crisis and suggests that it provides lessons for current politicians and policy-makers. Distributed in the US by Dufour Editions, Inc. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)